Making a Mash Tun

Mashing
1

Hey guys! I have a quick question about making a mash tun. I have a 5-gal drinking cooler and was wondering if that will be big enough to make a mash/lauter tun. :cheers:

2

A quick Google search shows you can do it for up to 5 gallon batches of reasonable gravity. I have a 40 quart cooler and am pretty happy with it.

3

Thanks for the reply Johnny. I’ve found answers all over the board so far. Some say they can only fit 10lbs of grain, some say 12+. I may have answered my own question haha. I think I may exchange the cooler (a gift) for a larger rectangular one. :cheers:

4

I think going for a bigger cooler is a wise choice.

5

for 5 gallon batches a 48-52 qt cooler is pretty flexible for different gravity recipes.

6

I recommend something like this. Has served me well for 18 years and 484 batches. www.dennybrew.com

7

You cant go wrong checking out dennybrew.com Worked great for me
:cheers:

8

Thanks guys. I’m going to go back to Lowe’s to exchange this 5 gallon tomorrow, get the braid, etc. I’m stoked to get started! :cheers:

9

I just got into brewing beginning of this year. I made 3 extract kits and got kinda bored with it. Built a mash tun and went all grain and an much more satisfied with brewing. More made from scratch. I think you’ll really enjoy the whole process. Good luck with your first all grain brew.

10

I’m pretty excited. I have the tun built. Now I need to get a new boil kettle. Will an 8 gallon kettle be large enough, or should I also go bigger? I don’t plan on going over 5 gallon batches.

11

If you don’t get at least a 10 gallon kettle, your future self will be pretty miffed with your current self. With an 8-gallon kettle, you’ll be in boilover territory for just about every 5-gallon batch.

12

Every time I use my 7.5 gallon turkey fryer, I wish I had a 10 gallon. With fermcap and a spray bottle, you might be okay, but 10 gallons would make life so much easier.

13

I agree. I have an 8 gallon and it works just fine. But every time I brew I say to myself that it would be so much easier if I had a 10 gallon kettle.

14

I agree 100%

I also suggest avoiding tall narrow pots in favor of wider pots. Tall narrow pots tend to act like rocket launchers for wort imo. Especially those 8 gallon turkey pots.

15

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

Now, to decide what to brew (after my kettle gets here!) :cheers: